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The Detroit Tigers fired longtime general manager Al Avila on Wednesday.

Avila, 64, has been the team’s GM since August 2015. He started his tenure with the club in 2002 as assistant GM.

Tigers chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch said he would oversee the search process for a new GM. Assistant GM Sam Menzin will serve as the day-to-day point of contact for the Tigers.

“Once I decided to make a change, I sat down with Al and thanked him for nearly 22 years of service to our organization,” Ilitch said in a statement. “Al’s loyalty and dedication has served as an example to all during his time as a leader in our baseball operations department.”

The Tigers sit last in the American League Central with the second-worst record in the AL.

“I want to re-establish our momentum and progress towards building a winning team and I am driven to find a talented executive to help us do that. They’ll be entering an organization with many foundational elements in place and an exciting path forward. Tigers fans deserve winning teams, and I’m highly focused and committed to deliver that to the people of Detroit and Michigan,” Ilitch said.

Ilitch will meet with the media later Wednesday.

The Tigers went 404-573 during Avila’s tenure as GM.

“To Tigers fans, you’re the best and you deserve a winner. I wish the results would have been better this season but know there is a lot to look forward to in the coming years,” Avila said in the statement. “God Bless everyone.”

–Field Level Media